IV catheter assembly with an ergonomic needle grip

Abstract

A catheter assembly with an ergonomic needle grip attached to a needle hub having an outer surface, a distal end, and a proximal end comprises a grip plate attached to and extending radially from the outer surface of the needle hub. The grip plate forms an obtuse angle with an axis extending longitudinally along a centerline of a needle, wherein the angle is measured from a point on the axis near the proximal end of the needle hub. A flashback chamber of the catheter assembly located near the proximal end of the needle hub is visible when a digit is placed on the grip plate.

1 . A needle grip for a needle hub of a catheter assembly having an outer surface, a distal end, and a proximal end, the needle grip comprising;
 a grip plate attached to and extending radially from the outer surface of the needle hub, wherein the grip plate forms an obtuse angle with an axis extending longitudinally along a centerline of a needle of the catheter assembly, measured from a point on the axis near the proximal end of the needle hub.   
     
     
         2 . The needle grip of  claim 1 , and further comprising a first side grip attached to the needle hub longitudinally along the outer surface of the needle hub. 
     
     
         3 . The needle grip of  claim 2 , and further comprising a second side grip attached to the needle hub longitudinally along the outer surface of the needle hub. 
     
     
         4 . The needle grip of  claim 3 , wherein the first side grip extends up a first side of the grip plate, and the second side grip extends up a second side of the grip plate. 
     
     
         5 . The needle grip of  claim 4 , wherein the first side grip and the second side grip comprise clear material. 
     
     
         6 . The needle grip of  claim 4 , wherein the first side grip, the second side grip, and the grip plate comprise polypropylene. 
     
     
         7 . The needle grip of  claim 4 , and further comprising a gripping feature on an outer surface of the first side grip and an outer surface of the second side grip configured to provide a secure gripping surface. 
     
     
         8 . The needle grip of  claim 1 , wherein the angle formed by the grip plate and the axis is greater than 90 degrees and less than or equal to about 120 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The needle grip of  claim 8 , wherein the angle formed by the grip plate and the axis is about 105 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . The needle grip of  claim 1 , and further comprising a support rib attached to the grip plate. 
     
     
         11 . The needle grip of  claim 1 , wherein the grip plate includes a lip. 
     
     
         12 . The needle grip of  claim 1 , where a flashback chamber of the catheter assembly located near the proximal end of the needle hub is visible when a digit is placed on the grip plate. 
     
     
         13 . A catheter assembly comprising:
 a catheter adapter having an injection port;   a needle hub having an outer surface, a distal end, and a proximal end;   a needle attached to the needle hub and inserted through the catheter adapter;   a tip shield configured to be encased by the needle hub;   a first side grip having an outer surface, wherein the first side grip is attached to the needle hub longitudinally along the outer surface of the needle hub;   a second side grip having an outer surface, wherein the second side grip is attached to the needle hub longitudinally along the outer surface of the needle hub; and   a grip plate attached to and extending radially from the outer surface of the needle hub, wherein the grip plate forms an obtuse angle with an axis extending longitudinally along a centerline of the needle, measured from a point on the axis near the proximal end of the needle hub, and wherein a flashback chamber of the catheter assembly located near the proximal end of the needle hub is visible when a digit is placed on the grip plate.   
     
     
         14 . The catheter assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the angle formed by the grip plate and the axis is greater than 90 degrees and less than or equal to about 120 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . The catheter assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the angle formed by the grip plate and the axis is about 105 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The catheter assembly of  claim 13 , and further comprising a support rib attached to the grip plate. 
     
     
         17 . The catheter assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first side grip and the second side grip comprise clear material. 
     
     
         18 . The catheter assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first side grip, the second side grip, and the grip plate comprise polypropylene. 
     
     
         19 . The catheter assembly of  claim 13 , and further comprising a plurality of ridges on the outer surface of the first side grip and the outer surface of the second side grip. 
     
     
         20 . The catheter assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the grip plate includes a lip. 
     
     
         21 . The catheter assembly of  claim 13 , wherein a distance between a distal side of the injection port and an upper edge of the grip plate is between about 17 millimeters and about 37 millimeters. 
     
     
         22 . The catheter assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the distance is about 27 millimeters. 
     
     
         23 . The catheter assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the needle hub further comprises:
 a first inner hub surface; and   a second inner hub surface, wherein the first and second inner hub surfaces are each configured to receive a protrusion extending along a housing of the tip shield to prevent the tip shield from rotating with respect to the needle hub when the tip shield is encased by the needle hub.   
     
     
         24 . A catheter assembly comprising:
 a catheter adapter having an injection port;   a needle hub having an outer surface, a distal end, and a proximal end;   a needle attached to the needle hub and inserted through the catheter adapter;   a tip shield connectable to the needle hub; and   a grip plate attached to and extending radially from the outer surface of the needle hub, wherein the grip plate forms an angle with an axis extending longitudinally along a centerline of the needle, measured from a point on the axis near the proximal end of the needle hub, and wherein the angle is greater than 90 degrees and less than or equal to about 120 degrees.   
     
     
         25 . The catheter assembly of  claim 24 , wherein a flashback chamber of the catheter assembly located near the proximal end of the needle hub is visible when a digit is placed on the grip plate. 
     
     
         26 . The catheter assembly of  claim 24 , wherein a distance between a distal side of the injection port and an upper edge of the grip plate is between about 17 millimeters and about 37 millimeters. 
     
     
         27 . The catheter assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the distance is about 27 millimeters. 
     
     
         28 . The catheter assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the needle hub further comprises:
 a first inner hub surface; and   a second inner hub surface, wherein the first and second inner hub surfaces are each configured to receive a protrusion extending along a housing of the tip shield to prevent the tip shield from rotating with respect to the needle hub when the tip shield is connected to the needle hub.